Library Juice Number 45, December 16, 1998
Contents: 1. Note: Library Juice now distributed by Majordomo 2. "Subject Index to Literature on Electronic Sources of Information" 3. News stories appearing in the December 14 American Libraries Online 4. John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award 5. Consumers Digest Online 6. Disaster News Network - http://www.disasternews.net/ 7. US Patent Full Text Database 8. California Community College librarians communications 9. Jersey City P.L. privatization 10. How many US libraries are unionized? 11. Annual Reviews: Physical Sciences 12. "MediaMentor," discussion list on communications in the developing world 13. Activists' Center for Training In Organizing and Networking 14. Empty Earth Comix Catalog #1 - Free Environmental Comic 15. CD of essays written and read by Mumia Abu Jamal on Death Row (Ad) 16. Minority Academic Librarian Internship 17. The "tap on the shoulder" method of internet control - Discussion 18. "From Learner to Consumer" - the need to develop the crap detector Quote for the week: Nothing contributes more to peace of soul than having no opinion at all. -Georg Christoph Lichtenberg _______________________________________________________________________________ 1. Note: Library Juice now distributed by Majordomo Library Juice subscriptions and distribution are now being handled by Majordomo on a remote server at the San Jose State University SLIS (Thanks, Stan). The address for unsubscribing and subscribing, however, is Juice[at]librarian.net. Most of the Majordomo list functions will be disabled for Library Juice (such as viewing the list of subscribers and accessing a list archive by email). Instructions for subscribing and unsubscribing will be available at the website (http://www.libr.org/Juice) later in the week. You can get a file with explanations of all the Majordomo commands by writing Juice[at]librarian.net with the message, "help". If you have any problems with your subscription that you would like to communicate with real person about, feel free to write me at Rory[at]libr.org. -Rory Litwin, MLIS, editor of Library Juice. _______________________________________________________________________________ 2. "Subject Index to Literature on Electronic Sources of Information" The December 14th, 1998 edition of the "Subject Index to Literature on Electronic Sources of Information" is available at: http://library.usask.ca/~dworacze/SUBJIN_A.HTM The page-specific "Subject Index to Literature on Electronic Sources of Information" and the accompanying "Electronic Sources of Information: A Bibliography" deal with all aspects of electronic publishing and include print and non-print materials, periodical articles, monographs and individual chapters in collected works. 775 titles were identified and indexed in great detail for this project. Thousands of URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) were added to various entries. Both the Index and the Bibliography are continuously updated. --------------------------------------------- Marian Dworaczek Head, Acqusitions Department and Head, Technical Services University of Saskatchewan Libraries Phone: (306) 966-6016 Fax: (306) 966-5919 http://library.usask.ca/~dworacze ------------------------------------------ >From NetInLib-Announce http://www.targetinform.com/netinlib/ ------------------------------------------ _______________________________________________________________________________ 3. News stories appearing in the December 14 American Libraries Online &http://www.ala.org/alonline/ * Study Finds California Has Nation's Worst Student-Librarian Ratio * Loudoun Ruling Gives Florida Library Pause about Filtering * Libraries Fare Well in $15.8-Million Round of NEH Grants * College Librarian Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Pornography * Former Loudoun Trustee Moves Filter Fight to the Legislature * Virginia Man Charged with Downloading Child Porn from Library Computer * No Need for Accreditation, Berkeley Dean Explains * Canadian Study Shows Libraries to Be Key Internet Access Points * French Government Withholds Funds from Rightist-Controlled Libraries * Rochester's Toy Library to Close by Christmas American Libraries' Web site also features the latest "Internet Librarian" columns by Karen Schneider; AL's "Career Leads" job ads; listings of conferences, continuing-education courses, exhibitions, and other events from AL's "Datebook"; and Tables of Contents for the current year. Lois Ann Gregory-Wood Council Secretariat American Library Association 50 E. Huron Street Chicago, IL 60611 1-800/545-2433, Ext. 3204 312/944-3897 (fax) lgregory[at]ala.org _______________________________________________________________________________ 4. John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award The John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award honors intellectual freedom fighters in and outside the library profession who have demonstrated remarkable personal courage in resisting censorship. The award consists of $500 and a citation. Individuals, a group of individuals or an organization are eligible for the award. Sponsor and Deadline The John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award is sponsored by the Intellectual Freedom Round Table (IFRT) of the American Library Association (ALA). The deadline for nominations is December 1 of each year. The deadline is extended this year until January 10. Past Recipients Past recipients include the board of trustees of the Vancouver (Washington) Regional Library (1995), the Plaintiffs in Stevana Case, et al. v. Unified School District No. 233, Johnson County Kansas, et al. (1996), Ronald Sigler (1997), and Paula Baker, Paul Bortz, Barry Ferraro, Elizabeth Gibson, Marjorie Meany, and William Meub of the Rutland Free Library (1998). Nominations Nominations and supporting evidence should be sent to: Don Wood, IFRT Staff Liaison, ALA, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Telephone: 312-280-4225 or 800-545-2433, ext. 4225. Fax: 312-280-4227. E-mail: dwood[at]ala.org. ________________________ Don Wood American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom 50 East Huron Street Chicago, IL 60611 800-545-2433, ext. 4225 Fax: 312-280-4227 dwood[at]ala.org _______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Consumers Digest Online http://www.consumerdigest.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CD This online magazine adds search power and display options to its product review print counterpart _Consumers Digest_. Readers may create product comparisons via Consumer Digest Online's database or browse archived articles on "shopping tips" or "best buys" by product type. The Issues and Investigations section addresses current topics of concern to consumers. Visitors can get advice in the Your Money section. Note: (free) registration is required for some Consumer Digest Online services, particularly the Compare Pad product comparison option. [MW] >From the Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-1998. http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/ _______________________________________________________________________________ 6. Disaster News Network - http://www.disasternews.net/ "The first comprehensive Internet site of timely news and information about U.S. disaster response and volunteer opportunities" highlights current disaster news stories. A state map links to local areas in need of assistance, nearly all within the United States but including some nearby, such as Central America and the Caribbean. A list of major American charitable groups is conveniently linked to their home pages. "DNN is sponsored by Church World Service (CWS) and is produced by Villagelife.org, a not-for-profit communication services organization." - jp >From LIIWEEK. LIIWeek Information - http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/InternetIndex/ _______________________________________________________________________________ 7. US Patent Full Text Database http://www.uspto.gov/patft/ The US Patent and Trademark Office has recently added a new full-text database of all US patents issued from January 1, 1976 to the most recent weekly issue date to its Web Patent Databases page (described in the January 10, 1997 Scout Report). Users may conduct fielded and boolean searches or search by patent number. The full-text returns include the Summary, Claims, Description, and References. Drawings and images are not available online. Search tips and help are provided at the site. [MD] >From the Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-1998. http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/ _______________________________________________________________________________ 8. California Community College librarians communications Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1998 13:42:14 -0800 To: calibaca[at]listproc.sjsu.edu, calibpub[at]listproc.sjsu.edu From: Fred Brose <fbrose[at]rccd.cc.ca.us> Subject: California Community College Libraries' communication Mime-Version: 1.0 Reply-To: calibaca[at]listproc.sjsu.edu Sender: owner-calibaca[at]listproc.sjsu.edu *kindly excuse this cross listing* We community college librarians are sort of splintered up. Sure, we have Community College Interest Groups in both CARL and CLA, the Council of CCC Chief Librarians, Carolyn Norman from the CCC Chancellor's Office, the Learning Resources Association of CCC whose newsletter Intercom I have not received for two years (not fault of the Association,) etc., but none of these means of communication reaches all CCC librarians. Ten days ago, Barbara Will from the Calififornia State Library discussed the new "Library of California" at Saddleback College. 40 colleagues attended, many not even from community colleges. I am sure with better communication twice as many community college librarians would have turned up. Right now, the hottest CCC topic is Information Competency, but how many CCC librarians have not even heard about it? Possibly, our CCC listserv at Cerritos College could unify us. In my guesstimation, only 165 colleagues (less than half of all California community colleges librarians?) belong to this listserv. Thus, could all CCC librarians kindly subscribe to: send an e-mail to: MAILSERV[at]cerritos.edu nothing in the "subject" field write in the body of the text: SUBSCRIBE ccc-lib-lrc-list [your name] you can post news items by sending an e-mail to: ccc-lib-lrc-list[at]cerritos.edu Carolyn Norman from the CCC Chancellor's Office always posts the Chancellor's weekly e-mail update to all CCC CEO's which I find of real interest. Please consider to contribute news yourself to make this listserv a viable source of information. Thank you very much, Fred Brose, chair, CLA Community College Interest Group *************************************************************** Friedrich K.(Fred) Brose, Associate Professor, Library Services Riverside Community College District, Moreno Valley Campus 16130 Lasselle Street, Moreno Valley, California 92551-2045 tel 909-485-6109; fax 909-485-6191; e-mail fbrose[at]rccd.cc.ca.us *************************************************************** God loves you and so do I (Rev. Schuller, Crystal Cathedral) *************************************************************** _______________________________________________________________________________ 9. Jersey City P.L. privatization Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 22:17:05 -0500 To: SRRT Action Council <srrtac-l[at]ala.org> From: Charles Willett <willett[at]gnv.fdt.net> Subject: Jersey City P.L. privatization Reply-To: srrtac-l[at]ala.org Sender: owner-srrtac-l[at]ala.org See the article in the current issue of _AL_ (December 1998, p. 16) about the judge voiding the Jersey City library board's cozy privatization contract with Library Systems and Services, Inc. There's Ronald Dubberly once again, retired (I heard fired) director of the Atlanta-Fulton P.L., who wrote an article in _AL_ a year ago, "Why Outsourcing Is Our Friend: Only the Outsourced Will Survive in the Growing Clamor for Lean Mean Service Machines." This current article reports that LSSI CEO Frank Pezzanite told _AL_ that in the 70 days the contract was in force, LSSI "'made a lot of inroads,' from setting new approval cycles to empowering lower-level staff. 'We found a willing workforce,' Pezzanite told_AL_, adding that 'the library staff was enthusiastic' about the changes LSSI had enacted." The contract will now be opened for bidding, and LSSI plans to submit a bid, so privatization may well occur. Does anyone know some way to get in touch with JCPL's "willing workforce" and find out how "enthusiastic" they were and are about privatization in general and LSSI in particular? Or a way to get in touch with the AFSCME local that filed suit? Does anyone have information about LSSI's other big public library project -- Riverside County, CA? --Charles Willett _______________________________________________________________________________ 10. How many US libraries are unionized? A discussion from STUMPERS-L... >A patron has asked us how many US libraries are unionized. >Because I am a new library student and still learning about reference >resources, I would be grateful for any information about sources and >search strategies as well as the factual answer. > >I tried Bowker's and fumbled around a bit on the Web without success. >I suspect that the government (Bureau of Labor Statistics?) counts this >sort of thing. > >Laura Reiner >Simmons College GSLIS >Boston, MA Laura: Well, you've got a number of methodological problems here. First off, most libraries _as such_ would not be unionized; rather, the broader entity of which they are a part would be unionized, including the libraries. Thus, the City of Milwaukee's library system is union (AFSCME Council 48), as much of the rest of the City of Milwaukee workforce is union; the libraries at the various Universities of Wisconsin are unionized, as Wisconsin state employes in general are union (AFSCME Council 24; my own). The only exceptions would be independent libraries, and those non-independent libraries whose employees have been determined by labor laws to be separate bargaining units for organizing purposes. Second, how does one define "unionized" for these purposes? If the janitors are union, but the librarians are not, does that count? What if the librarians are AFT, but the blue-collar work is contracted out to a non-union privateer? What if the clerical, security and blue-collar are AFSCME, but the librarians are part of a "professional association" which collectively bargains for them? Or a similar case, except that a different chapter of the very same professional association DOESN'T collectively bargain for their librarians? Having said all that: The various public-sector unions' websites (such as http://www.afscme.org) _may_ have information on how many of their member work at libraries, or how many libraries their members work in; however, you will probably have to contact their various research departments. The major public-sector unions include AFSCME, NEA, SEIU, AFT, AFGE and the Teamsters; there are also a number of professional organizations and independent associations who function to varying extents as collective bargaining agents for library employees, whether or not they are regarded as "unions" by one standard or another. Michael J. Lowrey, Editor-in-Chief; Sunrise Book & Software Reviews 1847 N. 2d Str.; Milwaukee, WI 53212-3760 member in good standing: Nat'l. Writers Union, At-Large/UAW 1981; Wis. State Employees Union/AFSCME C24; I.U. 660/IWW - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1998 21:13:46 -0500 Many thanks to Sue Kamm, Michael J. Lowrey, and Irene A. Fuerst for their help with this question. As I suspected, there may be no clear answer. I will report back if I learn anything further. Laura Reiner Simmons College GSLIS _______________________________________________________________________________ 11. Annual Reviews: Physical Sciences http://physical.annualreviews.org/ Annual Reviews is pleased to announce that the full text of all its titles in its "physical sciences" suite of review volumes now join its "biomedical suite" of review volumes online. For access from countries outside North America go to http://intl-physical.annualreviews.org/ The newly-online titles are all eight Physical Sciences titles: Astronomy and Astrophysics, Biophysics and Biomolecular Structure, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Energy and the Environment, Fluid Mechanics, Materials Science, Nuclear and Particle Science, Physical Chemistry. And all six Social Sciences titles: Anthropology, Energy and the Environment, Political Science, Psychology, Public Health, Sociology. All seventeen Annual Reviews biomedical titles were brought online this past summer. All titles can be accessed from the URLs given above, or from the Annual Reviews' publications home page at: http://www.AnnualReviews.org/ The AR Online titles contain the full content of each volume of the titles, including all figures and tables. In addition, the full text is searchable by keyword, and the cited references include hyperlinks to Medline (where appropriate) and to the full text of many other online journals that are frequently-cited in AR chapters. The online availability of full text articles and abstracts varies by Series. Full text is available for ALL Series titles beginning with 1997 volumes, and abstracts beginning in 1996; most have titles/authors beginning with 1984. Certain series titles contain full text and abstracts for earlier volumes. Each full-text volume will be placed online approximately on the date it is mailed to subscribers, so the online site may be days or even weeks ahead of your receipt of a print copy. In addition, the table of contents and abstracts of the upcoming volumes are regularly placed online, as a "future table of contents." The 1999 tables of contents are now online for many titles in the suites; abstracts of future chapters are placed online as they become available. Readers can register to receive an email "eTOC", alerting them to the contents of each new volume as it is placed online, and of future tables of contents when those are placed online. You can register for the eTOC service from any table of contents page you view online. The Web site also provides access to information about the titles (such as Instructions to Authors, the Editorial Board, and subscription information and on-line subscription ordering), as well as access to other services. The site is free and available to all on the Internet through 1998. Thereafter, access will be by institutional site license, which comes with each institutional subscription, or by personal subscription. We very much encourage you, on your first visit to the site, to "sign the guestbook." This will take only a minute or two, and will give us helpful information about who the online readers are, and how they are connecting to us. In addition, we would appreciate comments, critiques, questions, or suggestions from you; these can be sent via the Feedback button found on all pages of the site. Feedback from readers will help the us decide what new features would be most valuable for the site, and how well it is working for its readers. The sites are being produced in conjunction with Stanford University's HighWire Press, which also works with other medical/research journals, such as Science Magazine, the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. A list of over 100 online journals and URLs is available at http://highwire.stanford.edu or, from many countries outside North America, at http://intl.highwire.org (Please bring this message to the attention of colleagues who may be interested in Annual Reviews' social sciences and physical sciences titles.) ----- Dr. Samuel Gubins, Annual Reviews, President and Editor-in-Chief John Sack, Director, HighWire Press, Stanford University _______________________________________________________________________________ 12. "MediaMentor," discussion list on communications in the developing world A few recent MediaMentor keywords to stimulate thought & interest in communications around the world .... Free subscription info below.... Tuvalu Spry Aboriginal Film Video AFP Interning Intern Interning Chomsky Linux Webnet APC Grameen telecom Housekeeping development communications Human Radio Journalists Freedom SPJ Rights Navajo BuyNothing Native Moore Pulsar RTNDF Festivals RSF tvintern TVNation URLs Forum Broadcast Zacharis Kanuk Banff JOB LISTS Mcluhan Labor Labour NewsTrawler Proteus Browserola Profnet Canadian Copyright AMARC Commonwealth Journal Newsweek Odden's Maps Acronym Finder Roget's Thesaurus Telecampus Writers France Guide Newspapers Biographies Panos DEVMEDIA China Pew Paper B.O.O.K. Transparency WebRadio NAT-FILM Black Inuit OPENCHANNELS Chiapas Smithonian PBS Ring SITE rights Call for Enteries Funding Distance Education via the Net Fellowships Dissidents PRC People's Republic of China VideoWall India ---- For public, keyword searches of the MediaMentor Archives please go to : http://www.eGroups.com/list/mediamentor ---- To Subscribe via e-mail, send an empty message to: mediamentor-subscribe[at]egroups.com ---- Messages for MediaMentor List Moderator: mediamentor-owner[at]egroups.com ---- To send messages to the MediaMentor List: mediamentor[at]egroups.com ---- MediaMentor is a free, non-formal education service aimed at helping journalists, communications professionals and community based NGOs in the developing world learn more about use of the internet and e-mail. ---- MediaMentor Web Traffic Statistics for: http://www.eGroups.com/list/mediamentor Total: 6293 messages read at eGroups.com Total: 946 unique users (represents the total subscribers & non-subscribers who have searched and read messages at the MediaMentor Archives) (Does not represent volume of e-mail sent to subscribers) May 1998 260 msgs read 42 unique users Jun 1998 439 msgs read 86 unique users Jul 1998 1745 msgs read 228 unique users Aug 1998 1669 msgs read 194 unique users Sep 1998 676 msgs read 107 unique users Oct 1998 586 msgs read 118 unique users Nov 1998 699 msgs read 164 unique users Dec 1998 219 msgs read 64 unique users :-) :-) Message Ends; Signature File Begins (-: (-: George(s) Lessard, Community Media Arts, Management & Mentoring Information, subscriptions, public keyword searchable archives and CAUTIONS, Disclaimers, NOTES TO EDITORS and copyright information may be found [at] http://members.tripod.com/~media002/disclaimer.htm CAUTION: some of the SEMI-RANDOM QUOTES reproduced below may not be suitable for certain insensitive readers: : : : : : : : begin quote : : : : : : : Boldness has genius in it. If you can dream it, do it. (Goethe) : : : : : : end of SEMI-RANDOM quote : : : : : : - 30 - _______________________________________________________________________________ 13. Activists' Center for Training In Organizing and Networking (Forwarded to SRRTAC-L by Fred Stoss) Activists' Center for Training In Organizing and Networking http://www.enviroweb.org/action/ * Graduating soon and looking for something ACTIVIST to do?? * Need a way to feed and house yourself, but you don't want to sell out and work for Corporate America? * Well, we can't pay you, but we CAN help with a place to live and eat while you work with other activists to change the world! The ACTION Center is a new activist organizing center and cooperative in northeast Philadelphia, PA. We are looking to fill 4 positions as soon as possible. Volunteers and interns are free to stay for anywhere from 2 months to many years. Those who apply for positions other than the paid Pennsylvania Environmental Network (PEN) internship are not bound to work only on a single project; many of these projects can and do overlap and volunteers/interns are free to move from one project to another, or help guide/redefine them on their own terms. PEN is the only paid position, involving housing & stipend. The other positions are unpaid, though some of the projects have the potential to become funded. ACTION Center is currently operating out of a three-bedroom rowhome; living will be cooperative. ACTION Center is a meat, smoke, drug, and alcohol free property. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender or sexuality. There are continual openings, so if you have an interest in volunteering in the future, please talk to us about it in the present so that we can reserve space for you. Does the following describe you?: -attention to detail -hardworking -willingness to relocate to Philadelphia If so, you may be interested in applying with us. We're ideally looking for people with some of the following skills. Those you don't have are ones that you can learn during your internship time. -research & journalism/writing experience -good typing skills -good organizational skills -good communications ability -web or database experience a plus, GIS experience a big plus database-GIS-web integration a huge plus -prior experience in community grassroots environmental issues (esp. waste & toxics) a plus HERE ARE SOME DETAILS ON THE PROJECTS WE'D LIKE HELP WITH: Pennsylvania Environmental Network (PEN) Internship (This is currently the only paid position, covering housing costs and a modest stipend) PEN is an environmental justice organization. Duties could include getting reports and other information distributed to the grassroots environmental community in Pennsylvania, making info available on websites and via email, help build networks of activists working on similar issues such as landfills & incinerators, sewage sludge dumping, fluoridation of drinking water, tire burning, sprawl, and factory farms. Position could also serve to organize conferences and trainings. If you're outgoing, there is potential for helping to organize local and statewide campaigns. Background on PEN can be found at http://www.penweb.org/ SEAC Mid-Atlantic / Pennsylvania (state and regional student organizing) Could involve outreach to new schools, helping with a regional newsletter, helping coordinate conferences & regional campaigns (ex: getting the State Schools to purchase recycled paper), or researching corporate and military ties to universities to help build regional anti-corporate campaigns. Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) National (Computer Networking Committee, materials development & Year 2000 committees) These SEAC National Committees are in part organized out of the ACTION Center. You can help the web or database teams keep SEAC computer operations in order, help write new materials (guides, info sheets), or help research Year 2000 issues for SEAC. Anyone who knows how to integrate databases with the web is highly encouraged to apply. Must have some prior involvement with Student Environmental organizing or SEAC. Students interested in other volunteer, intern or work study positions with SEAC National can learn more about getting involved by visiting http://www.seac.org/volunteer.html. We're also looking for someone interested in doing work on medical waste issues and university animal testing. This work will be done in conjunction with the Health Care Without Harm campaign, which is an international campaign for environmentally-safe health care (fighting medical waste incineration & detoxifying the medical waste stream). For details on Health Care Without Harm, visit http://www.noharm.org/ Y2K (nuclear reactor safety research & sustainable community building) The Year 2000 computer bug is likely to heavily impact our power supply and nuclear reactors. Help us research power grid & nuclear utility preparedness, help organize national campaign on Y2K-related nuclear safety. Also, we'll be working on researching and developing intentional communities and sustainable/communal living strategies. Corporate Dirt Archive Project http://www.corporations.org/ Help catalog existing on-line anti-corporate websites, build profiles on particularly destructive corporations, eventually help build activist networks around specific corporate targets. NukeNet Anti-Nuclear Network http://www.enviroweb.org/nukenet/ Help keep on top of and summarize anti-nuclear information on-line. Pollution Mapping Project (GIS/DB/WWW) We're seeking to use GIS (Geographical Information Systems) to map and analyze toxis and waste issues in Pennsylvania and across the country. We need someone who knows GIS, particularly if they are able to interface GIS with databases, webpages or both. For more information or for links to websites of these projects, visit http://www.enviroweb.org/action/ . Inquiries and resumes/applications may be sent to catalyst[at]envirolink.org _______________________________________________________________________________ 14. Empty Earth Comix Catalog #1 - Free Environmental Comic Sent to Media-L[at]tao.ca... ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- The Earth and all her species are being liquidated, and the planet's going to hell... Weep, Fight, Organize, and Rant! But when you need a break, read a comic!!! Noticing the void in quality comic books within the environmental movement, a small coalition of direct action junkies, art school art drop outs, and illustrating monkeywrenchers have started a basecamp sized, environmental, comix "company"... And yes... ...give us a mailing address and we will send you a Free(!)... ...soon to be collector's item... !EMPTY EARTH COMIX Catalog #1! So if you want the catalog (a comic in and of itself & 100% post consumer) mailed to you, email us now! Or ask for more info if you can't wait for the damn catalog, and need COMPOST MAN #3, (for example)... In solidarity, E.E.C emptyearthcomix[at]hotmail.com ps-Thanks to all who have already responded. I'm just hitting some sites that didn't get the last message. You should all get your cats by x-mas. Nick Diamond Empty Earth Comix 244 Oak st Providence, RI 02909 (401)272-3932 _______________________________________________________________________________ 15. CD of essays written and read by Mumia Abu Jamal on Death Row (Ad) "All Things Censored, Volume I - A compact disc of essays written and read by Mumia Abul Jamal on Death Row for a crime he did not commit." Reflective, humorous, anecdotal, and focused, it is the voice of a professional journalist and gifted storyteller. That voice can penetrate even concrete, bend the power of law towards justice, and melt institutional cowardice" Send $15.00 (includes p+p) to Prison Radio / Quixote P.O. Box 411074, San Francisco, CA 94141 radioqc[at]sirius.com 415-648-4505 schnews[at]brighton.co.uk _______________________________________________________________________________ 16. Minority Academic Librarian Internship Sent to NMRT-L ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 10:38:13 -0500 From: Gale Stevenson <gstevenson[at]ithaca.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <libadmin[at]list.umaryland.edu> Subject: Minority Internship Minority Academic Librarian Internship The Ithaca College library is actively seeking to increase minority representation within the library staff and on the campus. This internship is intended to provide a recent library school graduate the opportunity for professional experience in an academic library. The internship consists of an 18 month appointment from January, 1999 to May, 2000. Responsibilities: Provide general reference services to students, staff and faculty. Work with a team of librarians to provide bibliographic instruction to individual classes and in a library course. Participate in web page development, prepare bibliographies, and reference collection development in assigned subjects. Will develop a pro-active faculty/student outreach plan. Participate in professional activities on and off campus. Hours include evening and weekends. Requirements: A MLS within the last two years from an ALA-accredited program, commitment to excellent public service and professional growth and development. Good knowledge of basic resources both print and electronic; knowledge of internet and electronic database searching, experience with design of Web pages and HTML, willingness to teach. Flexibility and initative. Outstanding oral and written commuication skills. Preferred: Academic training or experience in an area of communications. Candidates are requested to submit a letter of application, resume and a brief (no more than 1 page) statement of their philosophy of academic reference including existing and potential services. Please include the names and phone numbers of 3 references. Send applications to Margaret L. Johnson, Library Director, 1202 Gannett Center, Ithaca College Library, Ithaca, NY 14850. Applications will also be accenpted via e-mail to mjohnson[at]ithaca.edu. Screening of applications will begin January 4, 1999 and continue until position is filled. -- Gale Stevenson Assistant Director for Information Resources and Educational Services Ithaca College Library Ithaca, New York 14850 (607)274-3674 _______________________________________________________________________________ 17. The "tap on the shoulder" method of internet control - Discussion Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1998 12:15:13 EST From: Sandy Rizzo <sgrizzo[at]ix.netcom.com> Subject: "tap on the shoulder" method MIME-Version: 1.0 ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- (This is a cross-post. I've also sent it to PUBLIB-L to reach the majority of those who have experience or opinion on this topic.) Something concerns me, and I've tapped the PUBLIB-L archive under the subject search "tap shoulder" (14 messages) to see what others are doing. My question is about the "tap on the shoulder" method of enforcing an Internet policy. Recently, I went to a conference where a speaker said the libraries she's affiliated with utilize this method (and seemed to indicate it was fine to use). Going through the archive, I even notice some librarians calling it a *policy* (whether that means an official or unofficial policy, I'm not sure, but I take the word "policy" to mean a "standard way of dealing with a situation"). Some talk has been generated regarding ACLU and this "policy": http://www.filteringfacts.org/acluhypo.htm, discussing it's acceptability or nonacceptability as an alternative or addition to filtering. I work in a medium-large sized public library that will embark on adding public Internet access in 1999. Policy is under development. I'm sure lots of things that come up that aren't mentioned in an official policy, so there may be some we need to think about. Whether or not our librarians are involved in creating the policy, we will need to enforce the decisions made. Certainly, since hearing the mention of use of the "tap on the shoulder" method at conference, I've been both curious and apprehensive. These feelings have raised questions: Just how do libraries enforce such a method or policy? How is the method used and how is it received by patrons? Do library patrons view this as an affront? And even if they quietly accept this interruption/intrusion (depending upon how it may be viewed or done), is it right and legal to for a librarian to do it? Do organizations that oppose filtering of adult public Internet terminals also oppose "tap on the shoulder"? How do libraries protect themselves if this method is challenged? Reading the site I've included above, I see that it's been used as a means of enforcing a public Internet policy designed to prevent viewing of sites considered "objectionable, obscene, lewd" or whatever term you'd like to use, but--in whose opinion is this determination made? Do librarians using the "tap on the shoulder" method feel comfortable acting as an informational watch-dog and with making judgement about what fits as "objectionable, obscene, lewd," and so on? I'm not trying to blow this up to be more than it is because I'm sure some librarians would write, "Oh, it's no big deal, we just tell them our policy is 'such-and-such' and this violates it," but at the same time, I think it needs to be examined. If I was on the patron side, I don't think I would want someone screening what I view or read, and there seems to be a general feeling of acceptance of this method (though I could be wrong about that) and I'm wondering how this acceptance got there. None of these questions are prompted by my library, and I'm still personally trying to remain as unbiased as possible til I've heard all sides. Simply, I would really, as a librarian on the brink of utilizing public Interenet access, appreciate a discussion of this "tap on the shoulder" method for the benefit of those who use it and for those who don't. I'd like a feeling for the kind of issues we might confront. Again, no views or feelings expressed are those of my library, and I will cross-post this message to another listserv (LIBREF-L) in hopes of reaching the majority of folks who use or have input on this method. Thank you very much. Sandra G. Rizzo Reference Librarian Mesa Public Library, Mesa, AZ sgrizzo[at]ix.netcom.com sandy_rizzo[at]ci.mesa.az.us -------------------Original message---------------------------- I just want to say that in my previous post, I should have suggested folks can write me privately, which several have done. I do know it's a sensitive issue and if the list would like, I can summarize the trends as reported to me after a bit. However, this is not a study, nor scientific, and furthermore, I will not violate confidentiality, so private email to me is fine, if you wish. I just need (and do appreciate) the insight shared so far by fellow librarians on this practice. Thanks again, Sandra G. Rizzo (Sandy) Reference Librarian Mesa Public Library, Mesa AZ sgrizzo[at]ix.netcom.com sandy_rizzo[at]ci.mesa.az.us ----------------Original message---------------------------- IMHO, it all depends on what is being enforced by this "tap on the shoulder" method. If it is used to enforce time limits, or rules against email and chat, well and good. We don't prohibit those activities here at TAMIU because we have plenty of workstations and the luxury of avoiding confrontations with patrons, but I am well aware of academic libraries that have to ration workstation access. However, if the "tap on the shoulder" method is being used to control information content or graphic images being accessed through the web, then it's censorship and therefore unacceptable. The ALA has made itself clear on this point: for example, see http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/filt_res.html and http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/electacc.html John Maxstadt Head of Public Services Killam Library, Texas A&M International University jmaxstadt[at]tamiu.edu _______________________________________________________________________________ 18. "From Learner to Consumer" - the need to develop the crap detector I spend a good deal of my time trying to help my students develop the good "crap detectors" (to use Postman's polite terminology (1969)) needed to cope with the flood of information that flashes on their screens. But these students are 17 and 18 years old; they are presumably able to nur- ture a healthy skepticism. I am not happy about having to teach those same skills to my seven-year-old son. Skepticism is a mature state of mind. To instill a distrustfulness too early produces not skepticism but cynicism. If cynicism is the price he must pay to maintain a measure of control over the influences that are flung at him through the Internet, then maybe he is better off not "taking charge" of his own learning. In this respect the most troubling trend associated with the Internet is the blurring of the line between commercial and educational interests. The controversy that began with Whittle's Channel One advertising is based on the recognition that advertising is less concerned with truth than with manipulation. It is a form of propaganda that has been sanctified as the means of fueling a capitalist economy. But if education is at all concerned with the search for truth, then pro- paganda of any sort does not belong in the schools except as a subject of study. (In our society it should be a required course.) Yet providers and popular 'Net tools are slapping ads on every window presented to the user. Many sites to which the search engines send my students for infor- mation are veiled advertising pages. It is getting more and more diffi- cult for them (and me) to determine what is information provided for the sake of promoting knowledge and information provided for the sake of pro- moting a product, a service or a person. As educational and commercial purposes converge, the message that under- lies it all is that information is a commodity which can be controlled, bought and sold, and that education is the accumulation and consumption of this commodity (Solnit 1995). In the end, control over the student's edu- cation is taken over by the marketplace, and what the student learns from the Internet at the deepest level is the ideology of consumerism. Stephen Talbott NetFuture #81, http://www.oreilly.com/~stevet/netfuture/ _______________________________________________________________________________ L I B R A R Y J U I C E | http://www.libr.org/Juice/ | | Except where noted, items appearing in Library Juice | are copyright-free, so feel free to share them with | colleagues and friends. Library Juice is a free weekly | publication edited by Rory Litwin. Original senders | are credited wherever possible; opinions are theirs. | Your comments and suggestions are welcome. | mailto:Juice[at]libr.org
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Date: Wednesday, December 16, 1998 12:17 AM